The Chippendale school is delighted that Professor Richard Demarco CBE will be awarding the third annual Demarco Prize 2018 at a reception in Edinburgh this June.
Professor Demarco is one of the UK’s leading arts commentators, a leading advocate for contemporary art, and honorary president of the Fine Furniture Guild, an association of alumni of the Chippendale school.
His contributions to contemporary art have been recognised on numerous occasions, receiving the Polish Gold Order of Merit, the Cavaliere della Republica d’Italia, and the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres de France.
He has been one of Scotland’s most influential artistic figures for many years through his work at the Richard Demarco Gallery and the Demarco European Art Foundation, as well as his professorship at Kingston University in London.
His annual prize recognises the student whose work best reflects art in furniture design or how art and cabinetmaking can make a positive impact on an individual’s life.
The importance of artistic creation is recognised within the Chippendale school’s curriculum and how artistic vision is an important element in creating furniture that will be valued across generations.
“Richard Demarco has been a good friend to the school and we are delighted that he will be with us on June 12th at a reception at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh,” said Anselm Fraser, school principal.
Last year’s Demarco Prize went to Nick Smith who transformed his Kawasaki Ninja 600cc motorbike into a “work of art,” according to Professor Demarco.
Nick painstakingly created intricate burr ash veneers with walnut accents to replace the bike’s original plastic fairings.
Nick, who now runs Strathmore Restore from a workshop in Forfar in Angus, then gilded the windscreen and wing mirrors and, to create the final “wow” factor, highlighted parts of the new veneered fairings with 23.5 carat gold.
The inaugural Demarco Prize was awarded to Graham Clark (seen here on the left), another Scotland-based student, who had fought his way back from serious injury to qualify as a furniture designer.
Graham, who served in the RAF for over twenty years, then worked offshore in the oil industry as a service engineer, was knocked off his motorbike by a hit-and-run driver, sustaining both head and other severe physical injuries, and had to relearn how to read and write.
“Art has an important part to play in the healing process and the inspiration it provides is amply reflected in Graham’s craftsmanship and the beauty of his finished work,” said Professor Richard Demarco.
This year there will be a public exhibition of our students’ work at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh on Monday 11th June (12 noon – 6pm) and Tuesday 12th June (10am – 6pm). There will also be a public Open Evening at the school on Friday 15th June (6pm – 8pm) and a public Open Day on Saturday 16th June (10am – 6pm).